Telangana Continues Talks with Maharashtra on Proposed Tummadihatti Dam

Hyderabad, November 3 (Daily Kiran) : The Telangana government announced on November 3 that it will continue negotiations with Maharashtra over the proposed construction of the Tummadihatti Dam. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy instructed irrigation officials to maintain good relations with their Maharashtra counterparts and to keep the dialogue open.

He emphasized the importance of preparing a detailed report on areas that could potentially be submerged due to the dam’s construction. Reddy also highlighted the need to exchange all relevant documents with the Maharashtra government, including existing agreements and other significant issues.

In a review meeting with officials regarding the dam on the Pranahita River along the Telangana-Maharashtra border, Reddy provided suggestions based on recent discussions with Maharashtra. He affirmed the Telangana government’s readiness to offer adequate compensation for any land that may be affected by flooding in Maharashtra. Additionally, he expressed willingness to deposit funds into a joint account held by both state governments.

The Chief Minister mentioned there would be no objections from Telangana regarding Maharashtra conducting surveys on potential flooding. He directed officials to ensure that all requested information from Maharashtra is provided promptly.

On October 26, a delegation led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who responded positively to Telangana’s request for permission to construct the 152-meter-high Tummadihatti Dam. Fadnavis indicated a willingness to reconsider the request but stressed that several technical, environmental, and administrative steps must be completed before a final decision can be made.

Fadnavis proposed the formation of a joint committee led by the principal secretaries of the irrigation departments from both states. This committee will investigate various aspects of the proposed dam, including its height, water availability, flooding impact, affected agricultural land, compensation requirements, and other technical matters.

The committee will also assess the extent of flooding and its potential effects on land and local communities, considering alternative approaches if necessary. It was suggested that officials and technical experts from both states collaborate to establish a clear timeline and action plan for further discussions and necessary actions.

Both parties agreed that the path forward would be determined by the officials and experts from Telangana and Maharashtra.